Key container



Nov. 29, 1960 Filed Oct. 31, 1956 D. G. F INK KEY CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet l DON G. FINK BY l l' ATTORNEY IN VEN TOR.

NOV 29 1960 D. G. FINK 2,961,867

KEY CONTAINER Filed Oct. 3l, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HG 7 FIG-7c3 llb 6| 25 IBb FIG. I4

DON G. FINK INVENTOR.

United States Patent' O KEY CONTAINER Don G. Fink, Fulton, Ill., assignor of one-half to Cora Deacon, Albany, Ill.

Filed Oct. 31, 1956, Ser. No. 619,474

19 Claims. (Cl. 70-456) The present invention relates generally to holders or cases for one or more keys, such as house keys, automobile ignition and door keys, and the like.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of a key container having new and improved means facilitating swinging the desired key out from the case and into a position of use, and it is a further feature of this invention to provide a key container that is simple, contains only a few moving parts, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

More specifically, it is an important feature of this invention to provide a key container in which the keyholding part is both rotatable and shiftable transversely andin which the shifting movement of the key-holding part is utilized to latch and release the part so as to control its movement into and out of key-projecting position.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the, preferred structure in which the` principles of the invention have been incorporated, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View taken centrally through a key container embodying the features of this invention, being a section taken along the line 1--1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the left hand key removed to show somewhat more clearly the key-carrying ejector member.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the right hand key and key-carrying ejector member in a rotating position.

` Fig. `4 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 3, showing ther-ight hand key in a latched position.

` Fig. 5 is a sectional view, similar in part to Fig. 1, showing a modified construction.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the casing of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 5, showing a further modiiied form of this invention.

Fig. 7a shows a modified form of spring member.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the lower casing plate shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing another modilied form of this invention.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing one of the casing platesY employed in the form of this invention shown in Fig. 9. i

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary view showing the use of a container of this invention with an automobile ignition key.

Fig. 12 is a disassembled view of another form of this invention, wherein quick-detachable means secures the two parts of the casing together.

Fig. 13, which shows a further modification of Vthis invention, illustrates a construction in which one of the 2,961,867 Patented Nov. 29,

ICC

2 casing plates has hinged parts, facilitating the changing of keys in the container. I

Fig. 14 shows another modification.

Referring first to Figs. l-4, the present invention is` shown in this form as including a key container made up of a casing member 10, comprising two side plates 11 and 12, and two key-carrying ejector members 13 rotatably and shiftably mounted on pivot means 14 carried by the casing 10. As best shown in Fig. 2, each ejector` member 13 includes a serrated portion 16 of substantial thickness, as shown in Fig. l, and substantially filling the space between the side plates 11 and 12. The serrated portion 16 extends outwardly from the adjacent ends of the side plates 11 and 12 and forms manipulating means as will be pointed out below.

Each ejector member 13 also includes a base section- 18 that is provided with a non-circular generally central opening, preferably square, indicated at 19, which is ap preciably larger than the square nut member 21 that, with; the associated bolt 22, comprises the pivot means 14 upon-v which the ejector member 13 is both rotatably and shiftably mounted. The member 21 is suliiciently smalleri than the opening 19 that, as can be seen from the right hand portion of Fig. 3, the ejector member 13 may rotate into different positions about the axis of the pivot means 14.

Each ejector member 13 is adapted to carry an associated key K. The opening in the head of the key fits' over the pivot member 22, as shown in Fig. 3, and the-5. ejector 'member 13 carries spring or resilient means 25` in the form of a U-shaped spring fixed at its central por-l tion by a screw 26 to the shouldered section 27 formed by the inner part of the thicker portion 16 of the ejector" member 13. The spring means 25 performs two functions. As best seen from the right hand part of Fig. 2', the end sections 29 of the spring 25 bear against the` associated portion of the key K and, thus reacting throughy the key K against the casing-carried pivot means 14,l

exerts a bias against the ejector member and forces the latter outwardly of the casing so as to bring the corner of the larger opening 19 into interengaging relation with the corner of the square member 21 of the pivot meansy 14. As shown in Fig. 2, this yieldably holds the keyv in its retracted position but the spring end sections 29' by yielding slightly will permit the key to be turned about the axis of the pivot bolt 22, as shown in Fig. 3, until another corner of the opening 19 snaps into position ony a corner of the member 21. These portions thus serve as detent means yieldably or releasably holding the key and key-carrying member in different positions, as showny two key-embracing sections 29 thereof, is to cause the' key, altho freely pivoted on the pivot means 14, to swing around whenever the ejector member 13 is rotated to different positions, which may easily be done' when holding the key case in the hand merely by pressing the thumb against the extension section 16, which is serrated, and pushing or pulling thereon to swing the member on the pivot 14. Thus, with only one moving part,l

namely, the ejector member 13, carrying a spring, the

key may be moved into retracted and extended positions as desired and releasably held in selected position with adetent or snap action.

The latter is The casing member 10 may be formed of any suitable material, metal such as stainless steel being indicated in Fig. 1. In this form of the invention the two sides `11 and 12 are apertured to receive the pivot bolts 22 and if desired the side plate 12 may be apertured and threaded t receive the bolts 22 while the corresponding apertures in the other side plate 11 are not threaded but merely receive the outer ends of the bolts 22. To secure the two side plates 11 and 12 together, one of them may carry a threaded socket 33 and the other may be apertured to receive a threaded fastener 34 which when screwed into the socket 33 bottoms therein so that while the side plate 11 is held in position over the ends of the bolts 22 but the part 11 is not clamped against the members 13 so as to interfere with their movement. One way of forming the socket 33 is to have a head 36 thereon and provide an opening in the side plate 12 to receive the head 36. The latter may then be fixed in any suitable way to the plate 12, as by staking, soldering, welding or the like. If desired, the socket member 33 may be higher (Fig. l) so as to serve as a positioning stop for the side plate 11, in which case the screw 34 need not bottom in the socket 33.

Considered somewhat generically, the corners of the square nut member 21 serve as positioning stop means for the ejector members 13, and the corner portions of the square openings 19 serve as recessed sections releasably engageable with the stop means. The latter and the recessed sections may be formed by shapes that are not square. For example, oblongs may be used or, in fact, any non-circular interengaging means may be used so long as they are arranged to permit rotation of one part into and out of retained engagement.

As an illustration of the above, I have shown in Figs. and 6 an arrangement in which the side plate 12a has an enlarged opening somewhat like a cross with four recessed sections 41. In this form of the invention, the ejector member 13a, or at least the base section 18a thereof, may be made of metal formed with a central opening 42 with a tab or lug turned down, as shown at 43, and dimensioned to lit into any one of the recessed sections 41. In this form the pivot means 14a is formed by a tubular nut member 45 receiving a screw member 46, which clamps the side plate 11a therebetween. The same kind of fastener means may be used to secure the side plates 11a and 12a together generally centrally thereof, and this fastening means may substitute for the means 33, 34 and 36 mentioned above in connection with the form of the invention shown in Fig. l. As will be seen from Fig. 6, the opening 40 is appreciably larger than the pivot section 45 and hence there is ample space for the tab or lug 43 to move out of any one recess 41 and over into another, as when ejecting or retracting the key. In Fig. 5 the spring 25a is xed in place by a tab or lug 48 pressed against the central part of the spring, but the latter is not apertured.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the side plates 11b and 12b are made of a material such as a plastic. The lower plate 12b is formed with an upstanding pivot section 51 having at its outer end a reduced section 52 that is received in the aligned opening in the side plate 11b. The ejector member 13b is provided with a base section having an enlarged circular opening 53 which provides for both pivotal and transverse movement of the ejector member 13b relative to the pivot means 51. In this form of the invention the extension section 16b is formed with an integral lug 54 that holds the central portion of the spring 25 connected to the member 13b, and the section 16b is also formed with one or more recesses 55 in which a lug 56 on the side plate 12b is adapted to be seated. If desired, there may be only one recess 55 on the ejector member and a plurality of lugs 56 on the side plate 12b, or there may be a plurality of recesses 55 and only one lug 56, or there may be a plurality of lugs and recesses on both members, depending on how many positions of the ejector member it is desired to provide. The two side plates 12b and 11b are held in connected relation by an integral threaded socket 58 and a fastening screw S9, or any other suitable means.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 7 the lug 54 extends upwardly, but if desired the lug may be turned forwardly and downwardly over the spring 25, as indicated at 61 in Fig. 7a.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a form of ythis invention in which stop means, preferably in the form of a lug 64, is carried by the ejector member 13c. The latter is provided with a hollow sleeve section 65 the central opening of which is sutlciently large, as shown at 66, relative to the pivot member 67 carried on the side plate 11C, to accommodate lateral or transverse movement of the ejector member 13e relative to the pivot 67. The lug or stop 64 on the ejector member 13C is adapted to engage in any one of several notches or recesses 69 formed around the edge of the opening 71 in the casing plate member 12C. The side plates 11c and 12C are interconnected in a similar way as the form of this invention shown in Fig. 7.

Y In Fig. 12 the construction is similar to that shown in Fig. l except that the pivot-supporting side plate 12d carries a socket member 75 soldered or otherwise fixed to the central portion of the side plate 12d, the part 75 having a raised central portion formed with an elongated slot 77 that extends generally longitudinally of the member 12d. The other side plate 11d is provided centrally with a fairly large opening 78. A resilient locking mem- 'ber 80, preferably made up of a spring strip or the like, is provided with a central locking stud 81 secured in any suitable way to the strip and having an elongated head 82 that lies transversely of the strip 80. The head 82 is dimensioned to enter the slot 77 when the strip 80 lies transversely of the casing side 12d and the stud 81 has been passed through the opening 78. The strip 80 may be slightly bowed or otherwise formed so that, after the head has been inserted into the socket 75, the locking part 80 may be turned to bring the latter member into alignment with the casing sides 11d and 12d. The latter will then be releasably held in assembled relation, with apertures in the ends of the casing side 11d engaging the pivots carried by the casing side 12d. To change keys, all that it is necessary to do is to turn the part 80 crosswise, and then the later and the two casing sides may be separated and different keys substituted for those formerly carried by the associated ejector members. The latter are not shown in Fig. l2 for they are substantially like those shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In some cases it may be desired to provide more quickly operated means for changing and/or installing keys than the removable screws and locking members described above. Accordingly, in Fig. 13 I have shown a casing plate 11e which includes a central portion 91 having end sections 92 and 93 hinged thereto, the central portion 91 being apertured, as at 95, to receiving fastening means, such as that indicated at 34 in Fig. 1. The hinge means 97, connecting the sections 92 and 93 with the central portion 91 includes springs 98 that urge the sections to close against the associated casing parts. The hinged portions 92 and 93 are apertured, as at 99, to receive the associated key-carrying pivots, such as those shown at 22 in Fig. l. Access to the keys may be had in this form of the invention simply by lifting up the adjacent hinged section 92 or 93. If desired, the casing part may be split, instead of hinged, depending upon the type of locking means employed for holding the sides together. It will also be understood that while I have shown casing means provided with key-receiving means at each end of the casing the present invention also contemplates construction in which there are key-carrying means at one end only ofthe casing.

In Fig. 14 I have shown al modification of the form simplicity. Instead of a separate part 75, I may forni` 'the socket for the locking head 82 by merely an elongated 'slot 85 in the casing plate 12e. v

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown fand described above, but that, in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention, widely different means may be employed, without departing from the spirit of 'this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A key container comprising a casing member carrying a key-receiving pivot, an ejector member rotatable on and shiftable generally transversely relative to said pivot, means acting between a key and said member for urging the latter in one direction relative to said pivot, and means responsive to movement of said ejector member transversely of said pivot in said one direction for releasably holding the ejector member in a selected position.

2. A key container comprising a casing member carrying a key-receiving pivot, an ejector member rotatable on and shiftable generally transversely relative to said pivot, stop means carried by said casing member, a recessed portion on said ejector member engageabler with said stop means .in response to transverse movement of said ejector member relative to said pivot in a direction that brings said recessed portion into engagement with said stop means, spring means acting against said ejector member to urge said recessed portion into engagement with said stop means so as to yieldably hold said ejector member and a key against movement about said pivot, and means to cause said key to move about said pivot with said ejector member.

3. A key container comprising a casing member carrying a key-receiving pivot, an ejector member rotatable land shiftable relative to said pivot, means acting between said ejector member and a key to cause the latter to turn on said pivot with said ejector member, and spring means 'act-ing between said ejector member and the key to shift the ejector member transversely relative to said pivot.

4. A key container comprising a casing member carrying a key-receiving pivot, a key-carrying member rotatable about and shiftable relative to said pivot, stop means on said pivot, a recessed portion on said key-carrying member releasably engageable with said stop means, and spring means acting between said latter member and a key to shift said key-carrying member relative to said pivot.

5. A key container comprising a casing member carrying a key-receiving pivot, a key-carrying member rotatable and shftable relative to said pivot, stop means on said latter member, a recessed portion on said casing member adapted to releasably receive the stop means on said keycarrying member in one position of the latter about said pivot, and means acting against said key-carrying member and reacting through a key against said pivot to yieldably hold said stop means in said recessed portion.

6. A key container comprising a casing member carrying a key-receiving pivot, an ejector member rotatable on and shiftable generally transversely relative to said pivot, stop means carried by the casing member, one or more recessed sections carried by said ejector member and releasably engaging said stop means, and resilient means acting between a key on said pivot and said ejector member to shift the latter into a position bringing said recessed section into engagement with said stop means.

7. A key conta-incr comprising a casing member including a pair of spaced apart casing plates, a pivot member carried by one of said plates, the other plate being provided with an opening having one or more recessed sections arranged generally in alignment with said pivot member, a key-carrying member rotatable on and shiftable generally transversely relative to said pivot member,

stop means on said key-carrying member engageable with one of said recessed sections for holding a key and said key-carrying member against rotation about said pivot member, and spring means acting between said key-carrying member and said pivot member to releasably hold said stop means in said recessed section.

. 8. In a key container, a casing member including a pair of spaced apart casing plates, a pivot carried by said member, an ejector member adapted to carry a key having an opening receiving said pivot, said ejector member being shiftable transversely of said pivot and the key carried thereby, means acting between at least one of said plates and said ejector member in response to transverse movement of the ejector member for holding the latter and said key in a selected position, spring means acting between said ejector member and said key for yieldably resisting transverse movement of said ejector member outl of .sa-id selected position, and a portion on said ejector member extending outwardly of said plates to provide means for shifting said ejector member transversely of said pivot to release said holding means.

9. A key container comprising a casing member carrying a key-receiving pivot, an ejector member mounted on said pivot for both rotary and lateral shifting movement, a portion of said ejector member extending outwardly of said casing member, a spring member fixed at a generally central portion to said ejector member and having ends engageable with a key mounted on said pivot, said spring member acting to shift said ejector member relative to said pivot member in a generally itransverse direction into a given position relative to said casing member, and means responsive to movement of said ejector member into said position to hold the ejector member and said key against rotation about said pivot.

l0. A key container comprising a pair of spaced apart sides, a key-carrying part swingably mounted between said sides, key-engaging spring means carried by said part and adapted to engage a key movably carried thereby, pivot means on at least one of said sides and adapted to loosely receive said part and pivotally receive the key carried by said part, and means actuated by transverse movement of said part relative to said pivot means in one direction to releasably retain said part in one or more selected positions generally about the axis of said pivot means.

11. A key container comprising a casing, pivot means carried thereby, a key-carrying part having a loose rotatable connection with said pivot means and adapted by virtue of said looseness to be shifted generally transversely of said pivot means to one position, an extension on said part, and spring means carried by said extension and disposed to engage a key disposed on said pivot means, said spring means acting to urge said part to move toward said one position.

12. In a key container, a casing having pivot means, a key-carrying ejector member mounted on said pivot means for both rotary and shifting movement, and spring means carried by said member and engaging a key mounted on said pivot means, said spring means acting through said key to shift said ejector member relative to said pivot means and casing.

13. The invention set forth in claim 12, further characterized by said ejector member having a non-circular opening loosely receiving said pivot means, whereby said ejector member is shiftable generally transversely relative to said pivot means, and means on the casing engageable in said opening to yieldably restrain said ejector member against rotation.

14. The invention set forth in claim 12, further characterized by non-circular opening means formed in one of said casing and ejector member, and cooperating stop means on the other of said casing and ejector member engageable with said opening means for yieldably restraining said ejector member against movement about said pivot means.

15. For use in a key container having a pivot member', a' key-carrying ejector member having means providing a rotatable and transversely shiftable connection for receiving said pivot member, and spring means xed to said ejector member and having a movable portion engageable with a key mounted on said pivot member and reacting thereagainst to shift said ejector member in one direction relative to said pivot member.

16. The invention set forth in claim 12, further characterized by said spring means having portions engaging the sides of the key so as to cause the latter to rotate with said ejector member when the latter is rotated on said pivot means.

17. The invention set forth in claim 12, further characterized by said spring means comprising a generally U-shaped member having end portions engaging opposite sides of the key.

18. A key container comprising means serving as a casing, a key-carrying part, means movably supporting said key-carrying part in said casing means for both rotary movement about an axis and movement transversely of said axis, means on said part to receive a key and cause the latter to rotate about said axis with said part, latch means responsive to transverse movement of said part to a selected one of a plurality of positions relative to the casing means for releasably holding said part against rotation relative to said casing means, and resilient means acting against said part to releasably hold said part in position.

19. A key container comprising a pair of spaced apart sides, a key-carrying part swingably mounted between said sides, pivot means connected with at least one of said sides and loosely and rotatably receiving said part and pivotally receiving a key on said part, springV means carried by said part and adapted to engage said key, said spring means accommodating shifting movement of said part relative to said key and said pivot means, said spring means being connected with said key so as to cause the latter to rotate with said part when the latter rotates about said pivot means,` and means actuated by shifting movement of said part relative to said pivot means in one direction to releasably retain said part and key against rotation about the axis ofl said pivot means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,493,689 Marcus May 13, 1924 1,669,945 Michailovsky May 15, 1928 1,679,274 Settle July 31, 1928 1,739,814 Anderson Dec. 17, 1929 2,235,606 Calhoon Mar. 18, 1941 2,481,359 Smyser et al Sept. 6, 1949 2,547,524 Gross Apr. 3, 1951 2,595,981 Prickett et al. May 6, 1952 2,769,331 Ellenbogen Nov. 6, 1956 2,822,684 Ray Feb. 11, 1958. 

